Blood components and their functions What we need to know

An adult's body contains about 5 liters of blood, which consists of the liquid part of blood, i.e. plasma, and blood cells: erythrocytes, platelets and leukocytes.

Human blood is unique because it contains many metals, minerals as well as nutrients and oxygen. Through it, waste products of animal activities are released from the body. Blood provides transport of antibodies to the site of injury, forming a clot to stop bleeding. Factors that interfere with the normal functioning of the blood pose a serious threat to health.

Blood diseases

Disorders of the blood system are conditions that affect erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets or the liquid part of blood - plasma. Symptoms depend on which blood components are affected.

Erythrocytes - red blood cells

Disorders of red blood cells develop when the synthesis or function of erythrocytes is disturbed. Erythrocytes are produced in the bone marrow and are one of the main components of blood. Their main function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, and vice versa, to transport carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs and release it.

Classification of red blood cell damage is based on structural abnormalities. Hemoglobinopathies are a group of inherited diseases that damage mainly hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein that provides the transport of iron in the blood and also the red color of the blood. Hemoglobinopathies include: iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, thalassemias (alpha and beta). Other types of disorders are caused by cytoskeletal abnormalities, such as hereditary spherocytosis and ellipsocytosis. These pathologies disrupt the permeability of the erythrocyte membrane. Enzymopathies are a group of disorders during which the formation or activity of some erythrocyte enzymes is disturbed: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, pyruvate kinase deficiency, and others.

Symptoms of erythrocyte pathologies

Despite the variety of manifestations of erythrocyte disorders, most of these disorders are characterized by severe symptoms: general weakness, muscle weakness, headache, dizziness. The cause of these symptoms is the lack of hemoglobin and oxygen associated with it.

Treatment of erythrocyte pathologies

Treatment depends on the type of rash that has developed. In cases of iron and B12 deficient anemia, these substances are given as supplements.

White blood cells - leukocytes

Pathologies of leukocytes or white blood cells include disorders of their formation and function. Leukocytes are produced in the bone marrow and are found in the blood and lymph. They are also part of the immune system and are represented by different types of cells. Neutrophils recognize and destroy bacteria, fungi and foreign agents. Lymphocytes protect the body from viruses and produce protein antibodies that fight infections. Eosinophils detect and destroy parasites and tumor cells. Basophils are involved in allergic reactions. Monocytes surround and destroy microorganisms and dead cells.

Disorders of white blood cells are divided into leukocytosis - leukocyte proliferation and leukopenia. During leukocytosis, an excess amount of leukocytes circulates in the blood - in response to the entry of an infectious agent into the body. Leukopenia is a condition when the number of leukocytes is reduced - due to the influence of this or that disease, medications, autoimmune processes, bone marrow diseases and other factors.

Symptoms of leukocyte pathologies

The ongoing processes with leukocyte disorders are characterized by weakness, fever, weight loss. Chronic conditions, such as: invasive infections, skin and other tissue abscesses, may be accompanied by respiratory failure, loss of appetite. Most of the symptoms are caused by the disruption of the protective functions of leukocytes and the immune system, which has a damaging effect on the whole body.

Treatment of leukocyte pathologies

The treatment scheme depends on the cause of the disease. The typical treatment for leukocyte disorders is antibiotic therapy, which helps the immune system fight infectious agents. Bone marrow stimulation methods are also used.

Platelets

Platelets are small fragments of blood that are produced in the bone marrow and provide blood clotting - a mechanism to stop bleeding. Thrombocyte disorders are manifested in blood coagulation pathologies.

Symptoms of thrombocytic pathologies

If the number of platelets is not significantly different from the norm, it is possible that the clinical signs of the disorder will not be detected.

Thrombocytopenia - a decrease in the number of platelets - causes a tendency to damage to the skin and mucous membranes, nosebleeds, the presence of blood in the urine and feces, weakness and others. In severe cases, uncontrollable bleeding may develop, which is life-threatening.

Symptoms of thrombocytosis - an increase in the number of platelets in the blood - are: headache, chest pain, weakness. The most unpleasant symptom is the formation of blood clots, which may be followed by obstruction (suffocation) of the blood vessel and interruption of blood flow.

Treatment of platelet disorders

Treatment of platelet disorders depends on the type of pathology – increased or decreased number of platelets in the blood. Treatment is both medical and includes plasma and/or platelet transfusions, bone marrow transplants, and more.

Blood plasma

Plasma is the liquid part of blood and makes up 55% of its total volume. 92% of plasma is water. It is as important a substance as blood cells, because it contains nutrients, microelements, proteins, hormones and other biologically active substances. By means of plasma, animal products are separated from cells and tissues.

There are blood diseases that hinder the functioning of blood plasma. These include: hemophilia A and B and von Willebrand's disease. During these pathologies, blood clotting ability is disturbed, deep vein thrombosis, myeloma disease and others.

Symptoms of blood plasma pathologies

Pain in the bones, bleeding from the skin and mucous membranes, arrhythmias, disorders of the immune system.

Treatment of blood plasma pathologies

Treatment depends on the type of disease and the developed symptoms.

How are blood pathologies diagnosed?

Diagnosis of blood diseases is based on anamnestic, clinical and objective data of the patient, on the basis of which laboratory tests are planned.

1. General blood test It is a basic study that is widely prescribed in the diagnostics of various pathologies and gives us a general idea of ​​the general state of the body, as well as blood components and their functions. It is informative for diagnosing such pathologies as: anemia, infectious diseases, inflammatory processes, bleeding diseases, leukemia.
2. Blood biochemical studies Evaluates electrolytes, glucose, lipids, liver and kidney functions, hormones and other indicators. The need for research is determined by the diagnostics or symptoms.
3. Immunological studies: Determination of indicators of different classes of antibodies in the blood during diagnostics and monitoring of infectious or autoimmune diseases.
4. Coagulation tests Investigates the various components and factors involved in blood clotting.

The list of blood tests is much wider and comprehensive. The direction of research is determined by the nature of symptoms, diagnostics, possible complications and others.

Some blood diseases are genetic in nature:

• Hemophilia A
• Hemophilia B
• Alpha-thalassemia
• Beta thalassemia
• Sickle cell anemia
• Fanconi anemia
• Von Willebrand's disease
• Hereditary spherocytosis
• etc

Treatment of genetic blood diseases is mainly symptomatic. The clinical manifestations of these diseases are often similar, and without genetic testing it is sometimes impossible to make a specific diagnostics.

Experiencing blood disorders may be associated with other diseases, certain medications, nutritional deficiencies, and more.

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Resources

https://www.healthline.com/health/blood-tests

n.manjaparashvili@synevo.ge